The Velveteen Rabbit or How Toys Become Real

Margery Williams's The Velveteen Rabbit, or How Toys Become Real is a beloved children's classic first published in 1922. The story centers on a humble stuffed rabbit, gifted to a young boy at Christmas, who longs to become "Real" through the transformative power of love. Initially ignored in favor of newer, mechanical toys, the velveteen rabbit finds comfort and wisdom from the Skin Horse, the oldest toy in the nursery, who explains that toys become real when they are truly loved by a child: "Real isn't how you are made… it's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time… then you become Real". As the boy grows attached to the rabbit, taking him everywhere, the rabbit's fur becomes worn, but he is happy and cherished. When the boy falls ill with scarlet fever, the doctor orders all contaminated toys, including the rabbit, to be destroyed. Left alone in the garden, the rabbit sheds a real tear, summoning the Nursery Magic Fairy. Because the boy truly loved him, the fairy transforms the velveteen rabbit into a living rabbit, allowing him to experience life among real rabbits in the wild. The following spring, the rabbit returns to watch over the boy, who recognizes a familiar look in the wild rabbit's eyes. Williams's tale is both heartwarming and bittersweet, exploring themes of love, loss, and what it means to be "real." The evocative illustrations by William Nicholson enhance the story's enduring charm. The Velveteen Rabbit continues to resonate across generations, offering a moving meditation on childhood, imagination, and the power of genuine affection.